How to Find the Right Therapist: Understanding Therapy Credentials and Mental Health Support

As we wrap up May—Mental Health Awareness Month—I keep coming back to one important thought: the more we understand mental health, the more empowered we are to make informed decisions about the support we seek and the people we trust with our care.

One of the best ways we can continue fighting the stigma around therapy is through education and honest conversations.

I remember being a shy kid in school when the teacher would ask, “Does anyone have any questions?” I’d sit there quietly, hoping someone else would ask the exact thing I was wondering because I didn’t want to raise my hand. And almost every time, the teacher would say:

“If you’re thinking it, someone else probably is too.”

So let’s make this easier.

This blog is for the questions many people have about therapy, therapists, credentials, and finding the right support—but may not know how to ask.

From a Therapist Who Wants Therapy to Feel Human

One thing I deeply believe is this: therapy should feel human.

As therapists, we genuinely want to know who we’re working with and what someone is carrying emotionally, mentally, culturally, and personally. But clients also deserve to understand who we are as clinicians and what different therapy terms actually mean.

A question that comes up often—especially now that social media and online directories have made therapy more accessible—is:

What’s the difference between a therapist being “trained,” “certified,” or “therapy-informed”?

Honestly? It’s a great question.

Trained Vs. Certified: What Does it Actually Mean?

A clinician who is trained in a modality has completed coursework, attended trainings, or participated in educational programs to learn a specific therapeutic approach or technique.

A clinician who is certified has usually gone a step further by:

• Completing advanced training requirements

• Logging supervised clinical hours

• Passing evaluations or assessments

• Receiving recognition from an official credentialing body

  
  

Both matter.

And this is important: please don’t dismiss a therapist simply because they are not certified yet.

These certifications often require years of supervision, continued education, financial investment, and hands-on experience. Therapists spend a significant amount of time developing their skills because they genuinely care about providing ethical and effective care.

At the end of the day, therapy is about helping you feel supported, safe, and understood.

What Does "Therapy-Informed" Mean?

Another term people are seeing more often is “therapy-informed.”

Being informed in an area usually means a therapist has explored foundational concepts through:

• Books

• Workshops

• Webinars

• Podcasts

• Continuing education opportunities

  
  

This helps clinicians broaden perspectives, recognize patterns, and thoughtfully integrate supportive concepts into therapy when appropriate.

Think of it as understanding the framework and applying insight intentionally, even if someone is not fully certified in that specific modality.

Why This Matters When Looking for a Therapist

Searching for a therapist can already feel overwhelming.

You may find yourself Googling:

• “How to find the right therapist”

• “Therapist near me”

• “Best therapy for anxiety”

• “Trauma therapist near me”

• “Do I need therapy?”

  
  

And suddenly, it can feel like you accidentally signed up for another college course.

The truth is: different therapy approaches support different needs. The most important part is not memorizing every therapy term, it's finding a therapist who helps you feel safe, understood, and supported.

The relationship matters.

Therapy Is More Accessible Than Ever

One positive shift we’ve seen in mental health care is how accessible therapy has become.

Virtual therapy has opened doors for people who may not otherwise have access to support, especially:

• Busy parents

• Remote workers

• Shift employees

• Caregivers

• Self-employed individuals

  
  

Sometimes therapy happens:

• During a lunch break

• Before work

• While the baby is sleeping

• Between meetings

• While folding laundry at home

  
  

And honestly? That flexibility matters.

Mental health support should feel accessible, not impossible to fit into your life.

Finding the Right Fit at HERO Counseling

At HERO, we offer a variety of therapeutic approaches and specialties because we understand that every person’s needs are different.

Our clinicians are trained, informed, or certified in approaches such as:

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that may contribute to anxiety, depression, stress, or low self-esteem. It helps clients build healthier coping skills and shift the way they respond to challenges.

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

DBT helps individuals strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, communication, and mindfulness skills. It’s often helpful for people who feel emotionally overwhelmed or struggle with intense emotions.

EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps people process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences that may still feel “stuck” in the nervous system.

Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy approach that helps access and process deeply stored emotional experiences and trauma through focused mindfulness and nervous system awareness.

EFT for Individuals (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

EFT helps individuals better understand themselves, their emotions, and their relationship patterns. It focuses on how emotions and attachment experiences shape the way we relate to ourselves and others.

We believe therapy should feel collaborative, individualized, and human—not one-size-fits-all.

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, relationships, identity, parenting, or learning how to show up for yourself in a different way, support exists and you do not have to figure everything out alone.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right therapist doesn’t have to feel intimidating.

You do not need to understand every therapy term, know every modality, or have everything figured out before reaching out for support.

Sometimes the first step is simply allowing yourself to ask questions.

And if you’re thinking about therapy, wondering where to start, or trying to figure out what type of support feels right for you—you’re not alone in that either.

When you’re ready, we’re here to help you find an approach and therapist that feels like the right fit for you. 

If you’re ready to explore therapy or want support finding the right fit, our team at HERO Counseling Center is here to help.

Book a consultation here: Book a Consultation

Written by Karina Garcia, LSW, Clinician at HERO Counseling Center